For Saundra

For Saundra

i wanted to write a poem that rhymes but revolution doesn't lend itself to be-bopping

then my neighbor who thinks i hate asked – do you ever write tree poems – i like trees so i thought i'll write a beautiful green tree poem peeked from my window to check the image noticed that the school yard was covered with asphalt no green – no trees grow in manhattan

then, well, i thought the sky i'll do a big blue sky poem but all the clouds have winged low since no-Dick was elected

so i thought again and it occurred to me maybe i shouldn't write at all but clean my gun and check my kerosene supply